Few singers are as invigorating as Kelly Clarkson, the pop world’s equivalent of feeling Zestfully clean. In the four years since Stronger, the former American Idol winner has become a wife and mother, but her mission as a pop star hasn’t wavered: she’s here to help you StairMaster the drama away with empowering lyrics and power wailing cranked to 11.
Piece By Piece was primarily produced by Greg Kurstin, the pop Svengali behind Stronger’s best songs, who does not fuss too much with Clarkson’s big, shiny radio-friendly formula. In the past she was reluctant to jump on dance or EDM sounds, but Take You High, Dance With Me and Nostalgic find her ceding the floor to a few grating drops, builds and chopped-up vocal samples as well as some trendy 80s synth rhythms.
Those diversions aside, this is another Kelly Clarkson album that’s all about maximizing her big steamroller of a voice. It’s top-loaded with catchy ballads like the title track, the Sia-penned Invincible and lead single Heartbeat Song that perfectly express her likeable, no-bullshit approach to pop.
Top track: Someone
Kelly Clarkson plays the Molson Canadian Amphitheatre July 25.
